Chief of Section, Information Systems and Telecommunications

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) serves as the UN headquarters in Africa and is pivotal in supporting the implementation of various UN programs, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Established to facilitate the UN's operations in Kenya, UNON provides essential administrative, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, conference, and information services to various UN offices and agencies operating within the country. The organization plays a crucial role in fostering international cooperation and addressing global challenges through its diverse programs and initiatives. UNON is staffed by a dedicated team of professionals committed to upholding the values and mission of the United Nations, ensuring effective service delivery across its various functions.

Job Overview:
The Chief of Section for Information and Communication Technology Section (ICTS) at UNON is tasked with overseeing the management and administration of critical infrastructure and conference technology support services. This role involves formulating and implementing the substantive program of work for ICTS, ensuring compliance with the decisions made by governing bodies and the United Nations ICT Strategy. The incumbent will lead a team responsible for providing excellent support to UNON Common Back Office clients, managing activities related to Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), and Internet services within the UN Gigiri Complex. The position requires a strategic approach to developing standards and procedures that fulfill all ICT requirements for United Nations conferences, ensuring a stable and effective systems environment. The Chief of Section will also conduct risk assessments related to ICT and conference technology, manage multiple concurrent projects, and oversee budget planning and procurement processes. This role is integral to driving modernization and digital transformation initiatives within UNON, aligning with the broader objectives of the United Nations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Chief of Section will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including:

• Formulating, directing, and implementing the substantive program of work for ICTS in alignment with UN decisions and strategies.
• Overseeing the management of ICTS activities, ensuring timely execution and coordination with clients across UNON, UNEP, UN-Habitat, and other UN agencies.
• Leading the ICTS team to provide exceptional support for LAN, WAN, and Internet services.
• Developing standards and procedures for fulfilling ICT requirements for UN conferences, including audio/visual and web-related services.
• Conducting risk assessments for ICT and conference technology, particularly regarding open-source applications.
• Managing multiple projects involving innovative applications and system integration.
• Acting as a primary stakeholder for capital investment projects related to technology and infrastructure.
• Monitoring project performance to ensure adherence to time and cost parameters.
• Providing recommendations for budget planning and client relationship management. 1
• Coordinating the preparation of reports for interagency bodies and other governing entities regarding IT activities. 1
• Staying updated on emerging technologies to drive modernization and efficiency within UNON.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong set of qualifications, including:

• Extensive knowledge of systems design, development, management, and maintenance of complex information systems.
• Ability to oversee large institutional systems and advise senior management on critical systems matters.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate information system and business operational issues.
• Proven ability to improve processes and adapt to changing priorities.
• Excellent negotiating skills and the ability to influence others.
• Commitment to gender perspectives and equal participation in all areas of work.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in computer science, information and communication technology systems, mathematics, statistics, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in the specified fields combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of experience within the ICT sector at a managerial level in international organizations. This includes at least 5 years of senior-level experience managing conferencing technologies for large international conferences and 5 years managing ICT infrastructure and networks for large organizations. Experience leading large-scale change management projects related to ICT for a minimum of 10 years is also required, along with proven experience in cloud-based endpoint management and business process automation projects for at least 4 years.

Languages:
English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. French is also a working language, and proficiency in it would be considered an asset. Candidates should refer to the UN Language Framework for specific language skill requirements.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and is classified at a senior level within the UN system. The role is full-time and may involve international recruitment. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with UN standards, and the incumbent will be expected to contribute to the organization's mission of promoting international cooperation and addressing global challenges.